March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. At YOUR Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, we know that Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) affects veterans of all ages. TBI is often referred to as an invisible wound, which is why it’s so important for veterans and families to understand basic facts about Brain Injury.
Coping with the physical and emotional changes resulting from a traumatic brain injury can be challenging not only for the person with the diagnosis, but also for family members and caregivers. A brain injury can affect the whole family — from financial challenges and social upheaval to isolation, to job loss.
TBI can have a variety of long-term effects, including a decline in overall physical health, mental wellness and cognitive ability. Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse are just a few that can worsen drastically if a brain injury goes untreated. All these conditions could lead to suicide. This is why awareness and information are important so that we are at the ready to assist and refer our veterans for prevention and just in time services.
Family members may also experience some of the same symptoms as they care for their loved one. Feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety or being on an out-of-control roller coaster they don’t know how to slow down or stop.
The WDVA TBI Program serves to support and represent every veteran in Washington State that has experienced a Brain Injury. Our program:
• Provides one on one support
• Provides answers, resources, and referrals
• Supports the groups and agencies that are out there doing great things for our veterans
• Provides training and advice to any agency, group, summit, conference or gathering that wants to know more about how to help the brain injured veteran.
During the month of March, we are offering training and learning opportunities through the Veterans Training Support Center. The Brain Injury and Recovery Series provides options for individuals seeking to understand different aspects of Brain Injury and Recovery. From Brain Injury survivors to families and caregivers to the community partners that routinely serve this specific population, this training will provide additional understanding of brain injury for personal and professional growth.
Some of the signs and symptoms of TBI are:
• headache
• confusion
• dizziness
• ringing in the ears
• memory impairment
• blurred vision
• behavioral changes
If you think a TBI might be the cause of your symptoms, consider what might have happened? Was there a possible injury or event that might have led to symptoms? Keeping a journal can help keep track of symptoms and is helpful whether you are the veteran or a family member or caregiver.
The next step to diagnosing a potential brain injury is to schedule a medical exam. You can make this request by reaching out to your primary care provider, and the WDVA Team can assist in making connections or providing more information if needed. The assessment often includes a neurological exam which evaluates thinking, motor function (movement), sensory function, coordination, eye movement, and reflexes. Imaging tests, including CT scans and MRI scans, cannot detect all TBIs, but tests can help health care providers rule out some of the more serious brain injuries. In particular, these scans can detect bleeding that resulted from the traumatic injury which requires immediate medical or surgical attention. Medical advancement and research is always changing and improving, so educating yourself will better prepare you to advocate for the veteran you suspect might be suffering from TBI.
WDVA is committed to providing guidance and assistance to anyone dealing with the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury. For more information and to speak with one of our TBI Program Members, please visit Traumatic Brain Injury TBI | WDVA (wa.gov).